Wednesday, January 25, 2012

More on Wallpaper... Not Your Grandmother's House!

I know a lot of people are adamantly opposed to wallpaper. Just the mere mention of the word seems to conjure up visions of an old, outdated and stale home. This aversion to wallpaper is understandable! Take a look at the dining room of our home when we purchased it...

The first thing I did was have all the old wallpaper removed and the walls painted with Benjamin Moore Monterey White. I needed a blank slate to even begin to create the perfect space. The walls are still the same plain white. The renovation is over and now it's time to add the fun finishing touches.

I am considering wallpaper for various rooms. I think there is nothing more sophisticated and fresh than pops of wallpaper if you choose wisely and with an eye for the flow and feel of your space. In my opinion, wallpaper is meant to create interest and to personalize a home. Adding wallpaper to just the right space can be magic!

Sometimes wallpaper can act as a neutral and it's sole purpose is to add texture such as in these grasscloth varieties by Phillip Jeffries...

Here is one of my favorite faux grasscloth papers from Thibaut. It's called Banyan Basket. I am considering this paper in the wheat color for my breakfast room. It's made of vinyl and is scrubbable.

Another great example from Thibaut's Texture Resource Volume 3 is this vinyl paper called "Raffia". It comes in several colorways.

Also, in the same Thibaut line is "Sisal". Again, it's vinyl, totally scrubbable and it looks like a sisal rug. It's amazing in person. I am considering this one for my butler's pantry.

Sometimes you may use a bold pattern in a small space such as a powder room...

Or you may use a bold pattern to create a dramatic effect...

I love classic Thibaut, too, such as this beautiful Chinoiserie paper in the Shangri-La collection...

Also, in the same Thibaut collection is the lovely "Anita Damask"...

I am considering the damask in aqua for my powder room...

Farrow and Ball creates beautiful historic papers. Here are a few of my favorites...

I love "Bumble Bee" for my vestibule/entry area...

I love the vivid color in Farrow & Ball...

They also have beautiful metallics like this one...

Don't be afraid to incorporate wallpaper into you home. It can add tons of character to a space!

About Me

I started the Finely Frugal blog in 2011, shortly after moving from Atlanta to The North Shore of Chicago. Finely Frugal shares my talent of perfecting the art of knowing when to splurge and where to save in creating timeless spaces. With a fine eye for detail and a gift for editing spaces, my passion is to create meaningful and unencumbered environments to share with family and friends. Presently, I am launching my new business, Buckhead Market. I hope to bring classic Southern design to the beautiful North Shore! After moving here I found a shortage of resources for DIY home decorating. In Atlanta it's so common to run right out and get that perfect pair of pillows in fine fabrics to complete a room. And yes, they are already made...no need to get a professional designer involved just for a couple of pillows. Or maybe you have a blank wall behind a sofa or above a bed? In Atlanta, you could visit various antique markets and find a beautiful collection of framed prints to complete the space. With a measuring tape and hammer you could create a beautiful and meaningful space in an afternoon. Buckhead Market will be bringing many of these resources to the North Shore!